The Superstar and National Arist Nora Aunor passed away yesterday, April 16, 2025. Her son Kristoffer Ian De Leon broke the news on Facebook. "She was the heart of our family—a source of unconditional love, strength, and warmth. Her kindness, wisdom, and beautiful spirit touched everyone who knew her. She will be missed beyond words and remembered forever," he wrote.
With a career spanning more than 50 years, Nora stood as one of the pillars in Philippine film, television, music, and theater. Honoring her illustrious life and career, her are 10 things to know about the Superstar.
Who Was Nora Aunor?
1. She was a Gemini
Nora was born on May 21, 1953 in Iriga, Camarines Sur, making her 71 years old at the time of her passing.
2. She started her career as a singer
Taught by her grandmother to sing, Nora won two radio singing contests before entering the national singing competition Tawag ng Tanghalan. She was unfortunately defeated on her first attempt, then became champion on her second try in 1967.
3. She was married to Christopher de Leon
The showbiz couple tied the knot back in 1975. They have one biological son—Kristoffer, who is also an actor, and four adopted children—actresses Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth.
4. She hosted a musical variety show for 22 years
Nora hosted the musical variety show Superstar, which ran for 22 years until 1989, making it the longest-running musical variety show at that time.
5. Her film Guy and Pip stayed in the cinemas for six months
One of her many films with Tirso Cruz III was Guy and Pip, which also happened to be their love team (Nora as Guy, Tirso as Pip). Released in 1971, the movie stayed in the cinemas for six months, was seen by more than four million Filipinos, and grossed eight million pesos (equivalent to 560 million pesos at 2009 average ticket prices).
6. She was nominated for FAMAS Best Actress for 15 consecutive years
Nora was nominated every year from 1973 to 1987 and was nominated for a total of 17 times, making her the most nominated actress in history. Among those nominations, she won five for her performances in Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1977), Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1980), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1985), Bilangin and mga Bituin sa Langit (1990), and Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1991).
7. She is the only Filipino actress who won international awards from five different continents
She won at the 19th Cairo International Film Festival in 1995 (Africa), 1st East Asia Film and Television Award in 1997 and Asian Film Awards in 2013 (Asia), 31st International Festival du Film Indépendant de Bruxelles in 2004 and Premio Della Critica Indipendiente in 2013 (Europe), Asia Pacific Screen Award in 2013 (Australia), and the Green Planet Movie Award (North America). In addition, Nora had more international best actress awards and nominations than any other Filipino actor.
8. She recorded more than 500 songs
Nora holds the distinction of being the artist with the most singles (more than 260) in Philippine recording history. Having an estimated sale of one million units, her cover of Pearly Shells is one of the best-selling singles in the country.
9. She is a national artist
For her contributions to film and broadcast arts, Nora was bestowed The Order of National Artists of the Philippines in 2022. Throughout her career, Nora made more than 180 films.
10. There is a plant named after her
In 2023, a new species of the flowering plant Begonia was discovered in Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island. It was named Begonia noraaunorae in honor of Nora.
Rest in peace, Nora.
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